Safety switch-lock and indicator.



J- 0.10%.JJ30N. B. W. REDICK & H. M. HENDERSON.

SAFETY SWITCH LOCK AND INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1915.

1,180,723. Patented Apr. 25,1916.

li -E Q14 uc m row 53. 9. 5 wow @bflf). 01:41 26. 9'71. made/mew I. 0. JOHNSON, B. W. 'REDICK & H. M. HENDERSON.

SAFETY SWITCH LOCK AND INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED IUL'Y B- I9I5 Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2.

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MOT/14 $12,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN O. JOHNSON, BURT W. REDICK, AND HAIR-RY M. HENDERSON, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

SAFETY SWITCH-LOCK AND INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

Application filed m 8, 1915. Serial No. 38,802.

To all whomc't may concern Be it known that we, JOHN O. JoHNsoN, BURT IV. REDICK, and HARRY M. HENDER- soN, citizens of the United States, residing at Portland. in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Switch-Locks and Indicators; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in safety switch locks and indicators for use on a switch'stand on a railroad. equipped with a block signaling system.

Themain object of the invention is to provide a device so constructed as to main-- tain the signals in their danger position until the switch is wholly closed and its operating handle or lever securely locked.

Another object is to provide a simply constructed and efiicient device of this character which may be readily applied to any switch stand commonlyin use by all railroads.

It is a common occurrence for switchmen to leave switch locks unlocked and this permits any passer-by to wholly or partially open the switch. When the switch is opened even for a fraction of an inch. the usual signal gives no indication of this fact. and the passage of a train over such a switch frequently results in an accident. It is to overcome this defect and to protect the railroad company against carelessness of its employees that this invention is designed.-

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view showing this invention applied with the signal indicating a clear track; Fig. 2 is a similar view with the signal showing a blocked track; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a switch stand equipped with this improvement; Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof: Fig. 5is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on the line 66 of Fig-3 showing the attachment in operative position for locking the switch; Fig.7 is a similar 'view showing the attachment with the parts in the position assumed when the switch is unlocked; Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section taken substanv tially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 withthe parts in operative position; Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the key in the act of re-- leasing the locking pin; Fig. 10 is a hori-.

a vertical section taken on the line l313 of v Fig. 6; Fig. 14 is a side elevation partly in section of the locking key. f

In the embodiment illustrated, this improvement is shown applied to a switch stand S of ordinary construction mounted on a suitable base B and having a signal shaft 8 operatively mounted therein which extends through a slotted table T fixed on the stand S and which carries on its lower end a crank C for connection with a switch in the usual manner, through the medium of the connecting rod R. A yok'e Y is secured to the spindle or shaft 8 above the table T and has an actuating lever L pivotally mounted thereon and which pivotally connects said lever with the table. This operating lever L is adapted to be lowered on its pivotal support at the ends of its throw into one or the other of the slots S in the table adjacent to which are the usual stop lugs Z for limiting the throw of the lever, and in either of its lowered pos1- tions, the lever may be secured by a pin 1 constituting a part of this improved attachment which is mounted on a chain 2 here shown connected with the lever by means of an apertured lug L and which is designed to be secured by means hereinafter described. or recesses S in the table-have depending extensions 3 which are provided with horizontally alined apertures 4 positioned to aline with an aperture 5 which extends transversely through the lever L, so that on the insertion of the pin 1 in the apertures 4 of the table extensions 3, said pin will pass through the aperture in the lever and thus prevent the lever from being operated until the pin withdrawn. said pin being locked in operative position by the means now to be described andwhich constitute a part of this attachment.

Secured to the table '1 between the slots The opposed walls of the slots or recesses S is a housing 6 here shown substantially triangular in formwith the outer upright wall 7 thereof curved longitudinally and .secured at its upper edge to the edge of the table by securing screws or other suitable fastening elements, as is shown clearly in Figs. 3'.and 5, the casing or housing proper extending under the table be which is designed to be engaged when in operative position by a locking element arranged. within the casing (3 for'retaining the pin in operative POSltlOn and preventing itsuntiuthor-ized withdrawahas will be here-- inafter more fully described.

A supporting block 9 is shown mounted in the-casing 6 andcom'posed of aphirality of sections Hand 18 of insulating material superposed oneach other and'secured to the base plate: 10 of the casing by means ofsuitable ,bolts' 11; As shown the lower section 12.0f this block is made larger than the up-' 'per section 1'8- and both ofgthem are substantially triangular inform with their vertexes arranged toward the,v vertex of the casing; as is shown clearly inFigs. 6 7 and 10.

Binding posts "'13. and 14 extend" through these insulating plates and have connected therewith the'wires 15 and lfi of an electric circuity which are connected with a semaphore or other signal. 17' disposed at a sui table point. on the track-to which? the device is applied, as is shown clearlyinFi'gs. 1'.

and 2. I

The uppergor' top sect1on'18oI-the block 9 is provided" with obliquel'y'dis'po's ed slots or sockets- 19 which extend through the side walls of said sectionandconverge and meet at the front edge or wall thereofv and which are designed-to receiv'e'a'contact plate 20 which is here-shown. connected with the wire 16 of the loindingpost 14; and which is provided with a contact point21 which projects beyond the front edge of the section 18 as is shown clearly in Fig.'10, said contact point beingco posed of any suitable inaterial prefe'rab y platinum. which is the material used ordinarily for this purpose. A spring contact plate is connected' with the other binding post 13 and is here shown in the form of a metal strip, preferably composed of copper. said strip being arranged on one side edge of said sectionand provided with inwardly projecting laterally extending apertured ears through which'the binding post 13 extends and connects said strip with the wire 15 of the electric circuit. This strip .22 extends around the front edge of the section 18 and has a deflected terminal 21 arranged in the path of the point of the-pin 1 so that when said pin is inserted through the apertures 1 and of the table and lever, the

-point thereof will engage said deflected terminal 2i and, force the spring metal strip .outward away from the section 18 which it is normally designed to hug. This contact plate 22is provided with a contact point 25 on its inner face arranged in position to enits ends to a spring arm 27 which is secured at-one end to -the vertex of the upper face of the block section 18 as is shown clearly in Figs. 6-and 7 and which projects forwardly beyond the cross bar 26 and is pro vided at its free end with a T'-shaped head 28fhaving a cam 29 on its lower face for a purpose to be described. The cross bar is provided at its free ends with diverging obliquelydisposed arms 30 provided on their. lower faces with depending lips 31 which are designed to perform the function of catches for engaging .the annular shoulder 1" of the pin 1 when in operative position forlocking said pin against withdrawal, as'is clearly shown in Figs. -6 and 13. This latch or'lo'cking lip 31 which is carried by each of the arms 30 is so posi-' tion-ed as to engage the shoulder 1 when the pin has been inserted sufficiently bring the point l into engagement with the deflected end 21 of the contact plate 22 and force itaway from-the block section 18. a "sufficient distance for disengaging its contact point 25 from the contact point 21 of the other contact plate QOas is clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 10, so that when said pin is in this position. it will be locked to hold said contact plates away from each other and thereby break the circuit, so that the" indicator connected therewith will. exhibit a safety signal, showing that'the main track is clear and that the switch is'lockcd. as this pin when so positioned is inserted through the lever L and can only pass therethrough when said lever is in lowered position after it has been actuated to lock the switch. The. cross bar 26 provid who two arms 30 and the tab T with two sockets S so that hc device may be applied to a stand positioned either at the rightside or the bait side of? the tracic, and when the positi n 0? the stand. is rinersed. it will of (1008c be understood hat it ill be necessary to rcvevsetbe 1 ans of the contact M8183 20 and .11. this reasoi'i the upper section 18 with the divcrg 120 may be pof equally well in either 0? $2M. Slot and the plate 22 secured to either side of the block section according t0 the position in which the switch stand is lorated.

Tit T-shaped head 28 of the spring arm 2'; which carries the pin locking latches. has the cam 29 thereof positioned over a keyhole slot 32 formed in the curved front wall of the casing 6 and in which a key 33 is designed to be inserted for releasing the-pin by raising the arm 27 through the T-shaped head '28 and consequently raising the cross ar26 carried by said arm and thereby liftingthe latches or locking lips 31 a sufficient distance to disengage them from the annular shoulder 1 of the pin 1 and thus permit said pin to be withdrawn to release the lever L. This raising of the bar 27 is accomplished by means of a ward 34 carried by the key 33 which on the turning of said key engages the cam 29 and raises the bar or arm 2? as is shown clearly in Fig. 9. v From the above description, it will be obvious that when the switch has been actuated by the lever L and said lever swung downwardly into engagement with one or the other of theslots S according to the position in which the stand is located and the pin 1 is inserted through the registering apertures in the side walls of said slot and in said lever, that the semaphore signal will indicate danger until said pin is inserted far enough to cause the point 1 to engagethe deflected terminal 24 of the contact plate 2:2 and to force said plate outwardly a sufiicient distance to break the contact between it and the plate '20, and that when Said pin has been inserted. in this position it becomes automatically locked by the lip 31 on the spring arm which springs into engagement with the shoulder 1 of'said pin and which reliably holds said pin and prevents all possibility of its being disengaged and the lever released by an unauthorized person, it being necessary that the key 33 be can ployed in the manner above described before said pin can be released. After said pin inserted as thus described, the contact between the plates being brokcmthe semaphore sigxia'lwill be set to indicate safety or a clear track. and the engineer of a passing train will know that the switch is properly set and locked when said signal is in this position, and when the signalis set atdanger ,he will know thatthe switch is either open or not locked, and therel'iyiiable to be opened i so that the plate at least pa rtia ll)? It will be understood that in order to throw the switch it is necessary to. release the lock pin which is accomplished by inserting the key 33. This key raises the latch spring 27 and the pressure of the contact plate 22 on the point of pin 1 forces it sufficiently outward to disengage it from the latch 31 and out of the path of said plate and thereby permits the contacts to meet and complete the circuit and thus set the signal to indicate danger.

Two lugs 35 extend laterally inward from the. inner face of the outer wall 7 of the housing 6 at points spaced slightly above the ends of the arms 30 of the pin locking member and which are designed to prevent said arms from being forced upwardly to such an extent as to strain the springQT with which they are connected and thereby insure the reliable locking ofthe pin.

A pivoted guard 32 is mounted on the outer face of the housing wall 7 in position to swing normally over the key hole-32 and protect it against the elements.

\Ye claim as our invention:

1. The combination with a switch stand having a slotted table and a switch lever pivoted to enter the slot in said table the walls of said slot and said lever having apertures to register when the lever is in position in said slot, a lock casing having an aperture in one wall registering with the apertures in said slot walls, a pin for insertion through said registering apertures. and cooperating elements carried by said pin and casing for locking the pin against withdrawal after it has been inserted a predetermined distance in said casing.

'2. The combination with a switch stand having a slotted table and a switch lever pivoted to enter the slot in said table. the wall of said slot and said lever having apertures positioned to register when the lever is in position in said slot. a lock casing having an aperture in one wall registering with the. apertures iirsaid slot walls. a pin for insertion through said registering apertures. and means for locking said pin against witluilrawal after it has been inserted a predetermined distance in said casing.

3. The combination with a switch stand having a slotted table and a switch lever pivoted to enter the slot in said table. the walls of said slot and said lever having apertures positioned to register when the lever is in position in said slot, a lock casing hav. ing an aperture in one wall registering with the apertures in said slot walls. a bin for iii-- sertion through said registering apertures, means for locking said pin against withdrawal after it has been inserted a predetermined distance in said casing, and signal controlling means arranged in the path of said pin and operable on the insertion of said pin in locked position to set the signal at safety and to reverse it on the withdrawal of said pin from said position.

4. The combination with a signal and switch stand and a switch lever, means for holding the switch lever in locked position, means for locking said holding means in operative position, contacts connected with said signal and normally in engagement with each other, one of said contacts having a spring ai'in arranged in' the path of said lever holding means and adapted to be engaged by said means when said means is positioned for engagement by said locking means, whereby said contacts are separated.

5. The combination with a signal, a switch stand and a switch lever, of means for holding the switch lever in locked position, means for locking said holding means in operative position, fixed and movable contact plates connected with said signal, said movable contact plate having a deflected terminal positioned in the path of said lever holding means and adapted to be engaged thereby when said holding means is positioned for locking engagement by said locking means, whereby said contact plates are separated and the signal thereby set'toindicate the locking of said holding means.

6. The coinbinationivith a switch stand and a switch lever, of a lock casing, a support of insulating material mounted in said casing and having a V-shaped seat therein with its apex opening through one side wall of said support, a contact plate housed in said seat and having a contact point extending through the apex thereof, a cooperating spring contact platesecured at one end to said support and having a contact .point arranged to register with the contact point of the other plate, saidispring plate having its terminal deflected, means insertible in said casing for holding the switch lever in locked position, and adapted to engage the deflected end of said. contact plate on its insertion in said casing, a pre,

determined distance and thereby separate said contacts, and a signal controlled by the position of said contacts in relation toeach other.

7. The combination with a. signal, a switch stand and a switch lever, of a lock casing, alined apertured'lugs on said switch stand between which said lever is adapted to swing, said lever having an aperture therein registering with the apertures in said lugs, said casing having an aperture in one wall registering with the apertures in said lugs and lever, a pin insertible throughsaid alined apertures in said lugs. lever and casing and having a shouldered point adapted to be projected into said casing, a latch for engaging the shoulder of said pin for'locking the pin in operative position, means connected with said signal and mmsmwrl flan Al-l1 NF said nin ivlierohv alined apertured lugs on saids'witch stand between which saidlever is adapted to swing, said lever having an aperture therein registering with the apertures insaid lugs, said casing having an aperture in one wall registering with the apertures in said lugs and lever, a pin insertible through said alined apertures in said lugs, lever and casing and having a shouldered point adapted to be projected into said casing,"

a resilient ineinberhavinga depending lip for engaging the shoulder of said pin for locking the pin in operative position, and key actuated means for releasing, said pin.

9. The combination with a signal, a. switch stand and a switch lever, of a lock casing, alined apertured lugs on said switehzistand between which said lever -is adapted to swing, said lever having an aperture therein registering with the apertures in said lugs, said casing having an'aperture in one wall registering with the apertures in said lugs and lever, a pin insertible through said alined apertures in said lugs. lever and casing and having a shouldered .po'int adapted to be projected into said casing,.a resilient member having a depending lip for engaging the shoulder of said pin for locking the pin inoperative position, and. a key actuated cam carried by said lllellll fl'. for releasing said pin,

10. The combination with switch stand and a switch lever, of a lock casing, alined apertured lugs on said switch stand between which said lever is adapted to swing',said lever having an aperture therein registering with the apertures in said lugs, said casing having an aperture in one wall registering with the apertures in said lugs and lever, 11 p n insertible through said alined. apertures-i isaid lugs, lever and casing and having a shouldered. point adapted to be projected into said casing, a resilient ineinberhaving adepending lip for engaging the shoulder of said pin for locking the pinincperative position, and means for raising said, member to release said pin.

11. Thecombination with a signal, a switch stand and a switch lever, of a lock casing. alined apertured lugs on said switch stand between which said lever is adapted to swing. said leverhaving an aperture therein registering with the apertures in said lugs'sai'd casing having an aperture'in one.

wall registering with the apertures in.said lugs and lever, a pin insertible through said alined apertures in said lugs, lever and casing and having .a shouldered point adapted to be projected a signal. a...

into said casing, a resilient member having a depending ho for engaglOi ing the shoulder of said pin for locking the pin in operative position, and key controlled means tor raising said member vto release said pin.

12. The combination with a signal, a switch stand and a switch'lever, a table on said stand having laterally spaced slots therein. a lock casing carried by said table between said slots, the walls of said slots and said casing, and said lever ha'ving registering apertures therein. a support of insulating material in said casing, contact plates reversibly mounted on said support, and connected with said signal, le-ver holding means insertible in the apertures of said slot walls, lever and casing, means mounted on said support for locking said holding means, one of said contact plates having means positioned in the path of said holding means and operable thereby to separate the plates on the locking of said holding means.

13. The combination with a signal, a switch stand and a switch lever, of means for holding the switch lever in locked position, means for locking said holding means in operative position, circuit breaking means arranged in the path of said lever holding means and operable on the engagement of said holding means by said locking means to break the circuit, said circuit breaking means being connected with said signal, and means for moving said locking means to releasing position. said circuit breaking means including a spring arm for forcing said holding means out of the path of said locking means and out of the path of said circuit breaking means on the operation of said lock releasing means.

ll. The combination with a signal, a switch stand and a switch le ver, of means for holding the switch lever in locked position. means for locking said holding means in operative position, circuit breaking means arranged in the path of said lever holding means and operable on the engagement of said holding means by said locking means to break the circuit, said circuit breaking means being connected with said signal. key actuated means for moving said locking means to releasing position. and meansfor automatically forcing said lever holding means outward on the movement of said locking means to releasing position.

15. The combination with a signal, a switch stand and a switch lever; of means for holding the switch lever in locked posi tion, means for locking said holding means in operative position, key actuated means for moving said locking means to releasing position to disengage said holding means, fixed and movable coutaets. said movable contact being spring pressed toward said fixed contact and having a member ar ranged in the path at said lever holding means, whereby the contacts are separated on the insertion of the holding means into locking position and engage each other on the release of said holding means, said spring pressed contact member operating to force said holding means out of locking position on the release of said holding means.

16. In combination, a track switch, a signal to indicate the condition of the switch, electric means for operating the signal including a circuit connector, a lever for operating the switch, and a locking member movable across the path of movementof the switch lever to lock it insafety position, said circuit connector being arranged in the path of movement of the locking memher to be actuated by it after such member has locked the lever, said locking member maintaining the circuit connector in its actuated position until such member starts to move out of operative locking connection. with the switch lever.

17. In combination, a-main track switch, a signal to indicate the condition of the switch, electric means for operating the signal including a normally open circuit 'c0n-. nector, a lever for operating the switch, and a slidably mounted pin normally arranged 7' across the path otmovement of the switch lever to lock it in safety position, said circuit connector being arranged in the path of movement of the pin to be actuated by one' end of it to its normal open position in which it 1s retained until the pm is moved in a direction to retract it from its locking 10o engagement with the switch lever.

is. In combination, a track switch, a signal to indicate the condition of the switch, electric means for operating the signal ineluding a circuit connector, a lever for opcrating the switch, a locking member movable across the path of movement of the switch lever to lock it in safety position, said circuit connector being arranged in the path of movement'of the locking member to be directly actuated by it after it has locked the lever and to be maintained in such actuated position until released by the retraction of the locking member. an incased latch for locking the said member in operative position, and key actuated means for moving said latch to releasing position.

19. In combination, a track switch, a signal to indicate the condition of the switch, electric means for operating the signal, including a circuit connector, a lever for operating the switch, a stand for the lever having a seat to receive it when the lever is.in safety position. a shouldered locking pin slidable across the seat and lever to lock the latter. a lock easing into which said shouldered. pin is projected when in operative position. said circuit connector being arranged in the casing and in the path of movement 13a y and. key actuated means for \moving said latch to releasing position.

20. In combination, a track switch, a signal to indicate the condition of the switch, electric means for operating the signal including a circuit connector, a lever for operating the switch, a stand for the lever having a seat to receiveit when the lever is in safety position, a shouldered locking pin slidable across the, seat and lever to lock the latter,.a lock casing into which said shouldered pin is projected when in operative'position, said circuit connector being arrangedin the casing and in the path of movement of said pin, a spring latch in the casing to engage the shoulder on the pin to lock it and a cam operatively connected with the latch and adapted to be engaged and actuated by a key inserted in the casing whereby the pin may be released.

21. In combination, a track switch, a signal to indicate the condition of the switch,

lectric means for operating the signal indluding a circuit connector, a lever .for operating the switch, a stand for the lever having a seat to receive it when the lever is in safety position, a shouldered locking pin slidable across the seat" and lever to lock the latter, a lock easing into which said shouldered pin is projected when in operative position, said circuit connector being arranged in the casing and having a contact carrying spring arranged in the. path of movement of the shouldered end of said pin to be actuated by the latter when moved to its operative position to lock the switch lever, a latch in the casing to engage the shoulder of the pin tolock. the latter, and key actuated means for moving said latch to releasing position.

22. In combination, a track switch, a switch stand having spaced seats, a lever for oper ating the switch mounted on sa d stand and adapted to be positioned into either of sa d seats, a lock casing arranged between said seats, a lever locking pin to be posltloned across either seat and across the path of movement of the lever to lock it in either seat, said member when in either operative position having a portion projected into sald casing, a double latch in the casing to engage said pin when in either of its two positions, and key actuated means for moving said latch to releasing position.

23. In combination, a track switch, a switch stand having spaced seats, a lever for operating the switch mounted on said stand and adapted to be positioned into either of said seats, a lock casing arranged between said seats, a lever locking pin to be positioned across either seat and across the path of movement of the lever to lock it in either seat, said member when in either operative position having a portion projected into said casing, a double latch in said casing to engage the pin in either of its two positions to lock the same, key actuated means for moving said latch to releasing position, a signal intosaid seat, a lock casing, a lever locking pin projectable across the seat and path of-movement of the lever to lock it in the seat,. said pin when in operative position projecting into said casing, a latch in the casing toengage said end of the pin, and key actu ated means for moving said latch to releasing position.

25. In combination, a track switch, a switch stand having a. lever receiving seat, a lever for operating the switch and movable into said seat, a lock casing, a lever locking pin project-able across the seat and path of movement of the lever to lock it in the seat, said pin having a shouldered end projecting into the casing when the pin is in operative position, a spring liitch in the casing to engage the shoulder of said pin, and a cam operatively connected to the latch to be actuated by a key. inserted in the easing to move the latch out of engagement with the pin.

26. In combination, a track switch, a switch stand having a lever receivingseat, a lever for actuating the switch movable into said seat, a locking pin projecting across the seat and the path of movement of the lever to lock it-in safety position, a lock casing to receive said pin when in operative position, a latch in the casing to engage and lock the pin, key actuating means for moving said latch to releasing position and a spring in the casing engaged by the pm when in locked position and adapted to project the pin outwardly when released from the latch.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presenceof two subscribing witnesses. Y

JOHN O. 'JOHNSON. BURT W. REDICK. HARRY M. HENDERSON. Witnesses:

EVERETT A. JOHNSON, ALBERT B. RIDGWAY. 

